John Gaertner

Pastor Emeritus John Gaertner, 88, of New Ulm, Minnesota, was called to his Savior's side in heaven on Nov. 14, 2025, after a brief illness. John Philip Gaertner was born a gift of God to his parents, Philip and Luella Gaertner, on March 30, 1937, in Neenah, Wisconsin. He began his studies to be a pastor at the Prep Department of Northwestern College in Watertown, Wisconsin, in the fall of 1950. After graduating from Northwestern College, he enrolled in Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, graduating in the spring of 1963. Upon graduation, he was assigned to begin a new mission congregation in Scottsdale, Arizona.

On June 15, 1963, he married the former Joan Harting, and they were married for over 62 years. Pastor Gaertner also served congregations in Prescott, Arizona; West Chicago, Illinois; Dallas, Texas; Weslaco, Texas; and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He retired on Aug. 31, 2005, after serving over 42 years in the public ministry. In addition to serving as a pastor, he taught history in Lutheran elementary schools and enjoyed reading, especially Bible commentaries, until his last days.

He is survived by his four children: Joel (LuAnn) Gaertner, Jeff (Lisa) Gaertner, Jill (Jonathan) Roux and Julie (Brett) Weishalla; his nine grandchildren: Elizabeth (Tyler) Tolonen, Philip (Beth) Gaertner, Ethan Gaertner, Jake Gaertner, Kaitlyn Roux, Micah (Hannah) Roux, Emma Weishalla, Katherine Weishalla and Sophia Weishalla; and his four great-grandchildren: Natalie Tolonen, Ruby Tolonen, Edward Tolonen and Adaline Gaertner. He is further survived by one sister, Suzanne Holzhueter; one brother-in-law, Hugh Jahn; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife; parents; his sister, Nancy Jahn; his brother-in-law, Donald Holzhueter; and his sister-in-law, Judy Jones.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be directed to a scholarship fund that John and Joan established at Martin Luther College in memory of their parents: https://mlc-wels.edu/scholarships/gaertner-and-harting-memorial-fund/ or in support of any of the Ministerial Education Schools of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod.

Thanks to Dr. Jason Mohror for his care for John over the years and to New Ulm Medical Center, Allina Hospice and the Sleepy Eye Rehabilitation Center for their care for John in his last days.

A Christian victory celebration for John will be held on Sunday, Dec. 21, at St. John's Lutheran Church, 627 S. Washington St. in New Ulm. Visitation will be 2:00 p.m. to 3 p.m., with the memorial service to follow at 3 p.m., with Pastor Jeffrey Bovee officiating and, at John's request, his son Joel preaching. Burial will take place in the St. Paul's Lutheran Cemetery.

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