Grace Pegorsch

Our Heavenly Father called Grace Marie Pegorsch to her heavenly home on Tuesday, January 29th, at the Benedictine Living Community. She was born on February 18, 1941 in Green Bay, WI, the daughter of the Rev. Martin and Medora (Dobberfuhl) Droegemueller. On June 28, 1969 she married the Rev. Dr. Dennis W. Pegorsch at Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Milwaukee, WI.

Grace spent the first 1 ½ years of her life living on the Oneida Indian Reservation, where her father was a missionary. They moved to Hilbert, WI and then to Janesville, WI where she attended St. Paul’s Lutheran School and graduated from Craig High school in Janesville. Grace graduated from Concordia University, Chicago in 1963 with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. She taught at St. John Lutheran School in Plymouth, WI from 1963-1966 and at Mt. Olive Lutheran School in Milwaukee from 1966-1970. She moved back to Plymouth with her family and later taught at the Dr. Steffan Learning Center in Plymouth from 1988-1990 before starting the preschool at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Cascade, WI in 1990. She served as Director and taught there until 1996 until she moved to Wausau, WI with her husband. From 1996-2006 she taught at Mt. Olive Lutheran Pre-school in Weston, WI. Her joy in life was teaching and working with children.

Over the years she served on various boards in both the South and North Wisconsin Districts of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod, served as a Youth Director in Plymouth, and a Girl Scout leader in Milwaukee and Plymouth. She enjoyed attending Bible Classes and various church organizations. She had a passion for volunteering and being part of the Aspirus Hospital Pre-school program in Wausau.

She is survived by Dennis, her husband of 49 years and five months, their four children: two sons, David (Tina) in Mequon and Jeffrey (Kathryn) Pegorsch in Naperville, and two daughters, Kim (Bill) Weissenberg in Deerfield, IL, and Christine Pegorsch in Palm Bay, Florida. Seven grandchildren: Marissa and Ryan Pegorsch, Samantha and Makayla Weissenberg, Evan, Justin, and Brynlee Pegorsch. Two step sisters: Miram Sting in Janesville and Rachelle Schroeder in Rochester, MN, along with nephews, nieces, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents and her step mother, Irma Droegemueller.

Grace had a childlike faith in her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit who faithfully guided her in her daily life, reflecting her commitment to the words of Psalm 118:24: “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

A Celebration of New Life for Grace M. Pegorsch will be held 11:30 a.m. on Monday, February 4th at Trinity Lutheran Church (501 Steward Ave in Wausau) with the Rev. Zachary Holdorf officiating. Visitation will be held on Monday, February 4th, at Trinity Lutheran Church from 9:30 a.m. to the time of service. The Helke Funeral Home on Third Avenue is handling the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be  directed to the Trinity Lutheran Pre-school and Christian Day School. Online condolences may also be expressed with the Helke Funeral Home at www.helke.com