Rev. Luther Werth

1939 - 2023

Werth, Rev. Luther (Lu), age 84 of Union City, California, died September, 6, 2023 at Lorber Skilled Nursing Facility. He was born to Rev. Frank and Hildegarde Werth and grew up in Eau Claire, WI, where his father was pastor of Epiphany Lutheran Church. He graduated from Concordia St. Paul junior college, Concordia Ft. Wayne senior college, and received his M.Div degree from Concordia Lutheran Seminary in St. Louis, MO. After graduation, he and Norma married in Omaha, Nebraska in 1965 and moved to Tiffin, OH. Lu, Norma, and their growing family subsequently moved to Timothy Lutheran in Council Bluffs, IA, Hope Lutheran in Shawnee, KS, and Christ Our Savior Lutheran in Livonia, MI. Lu also served as vice president of the Michigan District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Lu officially retired from the ministry in 2006, although his commitment to serve did not diminish. After retirement, he continued serving as pastor in an interim capacity at various Lutheran churches in Saginaw and Monroe, Michigan. In 2011, he and Norma moved to Fremont, CA, where he continued to serve at churches in an interim capacity, including in San Lorenzo, San Leandro, and Livermore. He delighted in discovering family and church connections wherever he went. A lifelong gardener with a particular passion for roses, he marvelled at the long growing season in the Bay Area, especially compared to the weather vagaries of the Midwest. Lu is survived by his wife Norma; daughters Rachel, Rebekah, and Christina; sons-in-law Greg and Geoff; two beloved grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives. The memorial service will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 30th at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Fremont, California.