Concordia's sixth president, Rev. Dr. Janzow, dies

President Emeritus Walter Theophilus "Ted" Janzow passed away Aug. 21 at the age of 91 in Lincoln, Neb.

"Dr. Janzow's leadership and heart for Lutheran Christian education were tremendous gifts to the church and to Concordia for decades," said Rev. Dr. Brian Friedrich, Concordia's current president. "Ted served to bring others to Christ. He was a model servant leader. We grieve with his family at his passing and rejoice in the sure promise of eternal life that has been won for us all by Christ."

Janzow spent more than 20 years serving at Concordia, including as president from 1963-1977. He also held various roles from 1959-1962 and from 1977-1982, including professor of sociology and religion, chairman of the religion and social science departments and director of college relations.

While at Concordia, he held numerous elected positions of leadership within Lutheran and public education, including president/chairman of the Nebraska Association of Church Colleges, the Nebraska Association of Colleges and Universities, the Nebraska Independent College Foundation, and the Council of Missouri Synod College and Seminary Presidents.

In 1984, he was installed as the president of Concordia Lutheran Seminary at Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, where he served until 1987.

In addition to his service at Concordia, Nebraska and Concordia, Edmonton, Janzow served as pastor for 18 years in congregations in Minnesota, Illinois, and Nebraska and also was the district president in the Lutheran Church- Missouri Synod Southern Illinois District.

A native of Ada, Minn., Janzow earned a master of divinity degree at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis (1944); a master of arts degree at Southern Illinois University (1957); a doctorate in philosophy at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (1970); and an honorary doctor of divinity degree at Concordia Theological Seminary-Springfield, Ill. (1965).

Janzow received seven different awards for excellent service in education, was editor of several journals and publications and authored several books, including Servant for Jesus' Sake, an autobiography, and Smoke of the Spirit.

He is survived by his four children: Dr. Fred Janzow of Cape Girardeau, Mo., Rev. Frank Janzow of Waukesha, Wis., Kathleen Kapke of Lincoln, Neb., and Dan Janzow of Lincoln, Neb.

Dr. Janzow's funeral service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday at St. John's Lutheran Church in Seward. Pastor Robert Wentzel of Trinity Lutheran Church, Walton, Neb., will officiate. Interment is scheduled for 3 p.m. Thursday at Trinity Lutheran Church Cemetery, 162nd Old Cheney Rd, in Walton. Visitation will be held at Roper and Sons funeral home, Lincoln, from 2-8 p.m. on Wednesday, with family greeting friends from 6-8 p.m. and one hour prior to the service at the church.