"We are so sorry for your loss. You are such dear friends and pray for comfort only God can give. We send our love and prayers. Al and Jan"
In loving memory of
Gerald Milbrath
April 9, 1934 - December 30, 2019
The Rev. Gerald Loren Milbrath was born in 1934 to Loren and Myrtle Milbrath in Jackson, MN. He is preceded in death by his Father and Mother, his beloved wife Gloria, and his great-grandson Logan. He went to be with the Lord on December 30, 2019.
Gerald graduated from Bethany Lutheran High School in Mankato, MN. He attended and received degrees from Bethany Lutheran College, Mankato, MN and Concordia Theological Seminary in Springfield, IL. He was ordained in the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod in 1958.
Rev. Milbrath began his ministry serving the dual parish of St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in McGregor, IA and Our Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church in Elkader, IA from 1958-1962. In 1959, Gerald married Gloria at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Rock Island, IL, and through this marriage brought into the world three daughters and two sons. In 1962, Gerald accepted the call to become the pastor of Bethel Lutheran Church in Fort Dodge, IA. During his ministry at Bethel, the church experienced growth that led to a new church building and a new name-Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.
Over the next 37 years, Gerald served as senior pastor at Good Shepherd, as well as a vacancy pastor for many area congregations until his retirement in 1999. Aside from his many ministerial duties, Rev. Milbrath served the Fort Dodge community in multiple capacities including being the Lutheran Campus Pastor for Iowa Central Community College for over 30 years. He was also the business manager of Iowa District West youth week at Camp Okoboji for 17 years.
In his younger years, Gerald was an organist and an athlete, and remained an athlete at heart his entire life. He loved to sing and very often could be heard harmonizing with the congregation on Sunday mornings. He was a nature show enthusiast and, unknown to many, a lover of any comet or moonwalk, whether the show was outside the window in the wee hours of the morning or on television! He would visit anyone in the hospital or in a care facility and after his retirement was the visitation pastor for Prince of Peace Lutheran Church for many years.
Gerald is survived by his children, Rhoda, Lynda, Randall, Lindsey, Rochelle, their spouses, 9 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, sister Joann and many other relatives.
Funeral services will held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, January 11, 2020 at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, followed by committal at Colfax Cemetery in rural Vincent, IA. Visitation will be on Friday from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church concluding with a prayer service at 7:00 PM at the church. Serving the family is the Laufersweiler-Sievers Funeral Home.
Tributes
"Happy Rev Gerald joined his wife He missed her so much.was a privilege to care for him Dr Dan Cole"
"An example of what a Christian man of faith should be. Leaving countless numbers of people with many stories on how he influenced our faith journey. A good and faithful servant now enjoying his reward in heaven,"
"Thoughts and prayers from the staff of the Iowa District West office. We enjoyed visiting with Pastor when he called in. He was always passionate about growing the kingdom and staying on top of the happenings in the district and the LCMS as a whole. We were blessed with his many years of dedicated service to the Lord. Peace be with you all."
"May the peace of the Lord be with you all. He was a beloved Pastor to our family. "
"Pastor was a really great man to so many. He left a memorable mark of kindness with so many He confirmed me when I converted from Catholic to Lutheran. Then later performed the marriage of my husband and I, he baptized and confirmed both of our sons and performed the marriage of our oldest son and daughter-in-law. He left a lifetime of memories for our family. He will truly be missed. "
"Our sincere sympathy to the Milbrath family, We were almost neighbors when we were at the Marcus Quimby parish, 1961 -1976 and charter Oak 1976-1978. Truly blessed are all the dead who die in the Lord.. May this be your comfort - God's Promise 'Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved!' and The promise of Jesus, 'I am the resurrection and the life. whoever believes this will be saved. Our Sincere sympathy! Rev Henry and Evelyn Friedrich"
"Sympathy from the David Henning family. Dave was a neighbor to the south of the family"