1914-1999
Note: Below is the obituary prepared and read (itemized Scriptures included) by officiating Pastor Paul Tiefel Jr. at the funeral of the deceased — Ed.
(Psalm 139:13-14,16)
On August 16, 1914 God blessed Theodore and Emma (nee Keller) with His special creation of Carl Martin.
(Ephesians 4:24)
God created a new man in Carl and delivered him from the kingdom of Satan into the kingdom of God through the gracious washing of baptism on August 30, 1914. He later confirmed his baptismal vow through his own confession of faith on July 1, 1928. The LORD developed and trained His servant through schooling which included two years of college at Northwestern in Watertown, Wis. and three years at Wisconsin Synod Seminary in Thiensville. Carl was ordained into the public preaching ministry and installed as pastor of churches in Shirley and Pine Grove, Wis. in 1941.
(Genesis 2:18)
On December 26, 1943 the LORD God brought to Carl the precious gift of a Christian wife, herself a special creation of God, Dorothea Koch. The Lord Jesus became the Head of the new family and blessed them with the creative gift of five children–Carla, Nona, Theodore, Martin, and Paula.
(Ephesians 2:8-10)
The LORD not only called Carl to faith by grace. He also graciously installed in his heart an appreciation for God’s grace and a love for His Word. In obedience to the Word of God, Carl left his former fellowship when it began to defend false teaching; Carl was instrumental in the early years of the Church of the Lutheran Confession, serving the synod in a number of ways (Board of Missions, reviewed musical recordings in the Spokesman). In addition to his God-created good works as a Christian husband and father, God prepared him to be a Gospel preacher and a Christian gentleman to all. Carl served congregations in Two Rivers, Wis., Lamar, Colo., Fridley, Minn. and Austin, Minn. He retired from the ministry in 1984 and moved to Eau Claire, Wis. where he continued to be God’s servant in his life, works, and writings.
(Isaiah 65:17-18)
On September 9 Carl Thurow suffered a stroke and was hospitalized. The LORD gave Carl six days of Bible devotions and constant visits from a loving family before taking his soul home to heaven on Thursday, September 15, at the age of 85 years. Carl’s body was buried on September 17 at Prairie View Cemetery in the town of Hallie where it awaits the resurrection on the Judgment Day. Carl was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Martin; and one sister, Ardis Thurow. The victory service of Pastor Thurow was held on September 20, 1999. The sermon text was Psalm 71.