Monroe Teachenor

1925 - 2017

Monroe Teachenor
December 3, 1925 - December 22, 2017
San Leandro, CA
Monroe was the second son of Monroe Summers Teachenor and his wife Martha Thomas Teachenor. He was born December 3rd, 1925 in Eagle Rock, a suburb of Los Angeles, California. He attended public schools in Eagle Rock and San Fernando. His father passed away when Monroe was 17 years old. He attended a semester at UCLA in Westwood, prior to enlisting in the United States Air Force in January of 1944. He served 26 months. After discharge he entered Concordia Theological Seminary for its 6-year Junior College and Seminary program. He served his first year of vicarage at the dual parish of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church of Sonora and Tuolumne City, California 1950-1951.
It was during this year that he became better acquainted with Agnelsa, then an elementary school teacher at Trinity Lutheran School in Stockton, CA. Monroe and Agnelsa became engaged on Christmas Eve, 1951, and were married on July 19, 1952, in Van Nuys, Ca. Monroe graduated from Concordia Seminary, Springfield on June 6, 1952. The newlyweds honeymooned at Sequoia National Park. Two nights after the wedding, the cabin where the newlyweds were staying shook. Monroe's casual explanation for the shaking was "A bear scratching against the cabin." Agnelsa wasn't convinced and learned the next morning from other guests in the area what had actually occurred -- that a huge earthquake had shaken Southern California.
Monroe was installed as the first full-time pastor of the dual parish he had served as a vicar, St. Matthew's of Sonora and Tuolumne City, on Sunday, August 10th, 1952. Karl Jonathan was born November 18, 1953. In 1955, Monroe was called to Livingston, California to serve Our Redeemer Lutheran Church of Livingston and (part-time) St. John's Lutheran Church of Los Banos. In 1956 he discontinued serving Los Banos in order to begin a congregation in Atwater. A daughter, Milda Miriam was born on Dec. 28, 1955, but lived less than a day. Elsa Miriam was born September 6, 1957. Anna Marie was born March 12, 1960. In the fall of 1961, Monroe was called to serve Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Berkeley. He was installed in November of 1961. Mary Ruth Teachenor was born March 21, 1962.
Monroe loved languages, especially German, his mother's native language. He earned a Master's degree in German at San Francisco State in 1973.
Monroe was pastor at Bethlehem for 37 years. The family lived at the church parish house for many years, and then moved to Claremont Ave. in Oakland. Monroe enjoyed do-it yourself projects, gardening, collecting and fixing up clocks and antiques, having dogs at all times, and helping almost anyone with whatever needed doing.
After Agnelsa had a stroke in 2007, they moved to a single-level house in San Leandro. Agnelsa passed away in 2008, and Monroe's health declined slowly after that. Monroe and Agnelsa were married for 56 wonderful years, partners on every level. Both enjoyed their children and grandchildren, and there was always lots of laughter when any or all got together.
Monroe passed away at Eden Hospital in Catro Valley, surrounded by the love of his family, all of whom will miss him greatly. He is survived by his children: son Karl, daughters Elsa, Anna,and Mary. Also grandchildren: Isaiah, Malina, Alana, Daniel, Noelle, Mariah, Lauren, and Kirsten.
Monroe was a "good and faithful servant of the Lord" for all of his days, and his faith was the foundation of his life. In the the words of the Psalms: "O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good and His mercy endureth forever!" and the words of the chorales "Now thank we all our God, with hearts and hands and voices!" "Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of Creation, O my soul praise Him, for He is thy Health and Salvation!" Or, in the words of the children's evening hymn: "All my blessings come from Thee; Oh, how good Thou art to me!"
In lieu of flowers please consider donating to Lutheran World Relief in his memory.


View the online memorial for Monroe Teachenor