Rev. Dr. Dennis Pegorsch

Rev. Dr. Dennis W. Pegorsch was reunited with his wife, Grace, on Wednesday, March 6, 2024. He was born on December 13, 1941 in Shawano, WI, the son of William and Myrtle (Haeuser) Pegorsch. The first 4 ½ years of his life he lived in Bonduel and Shawano. His family then moved to Manawa, where he grew up attending St. Paul Lutheran School. After 8th grade, he attended high school at Concordia College in Milwaukee, living in the dorms and returning home for the summer months. Dennis had many cherished memories of his grandparents, especially spending summers with them at their cottage on Shawano Lake. He was blessed with loving parents and his three younger brothers, Lee, Keith, and Kent. His parents had a shoe store and shoe repair business for almost 40 years in Manawa before they retired. On June 28, 1969, he married Grace Droegemueller at Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Milwaukee, WI. They were married for 49 years and 5 months before Grace passed away on January 29, 2019. She was truly the love of his life and his best friend.

Dennis believed in a lifelong pursuit of education and learning. He attended Concordia College in Milwaukee from 1959-1961 and Concordia Senior College in Fort Wayne, IN, from 1961-1963. He received his BA at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO from 1963-1967. During this time, he also worked at the children’s home in St. Louis where he had fond memories of working with the youth there. His Bachelor of Theology and Masters of Divinity, along with one year of vicarage, was completed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ridgewood, NJ. It is in Ridgewood that he first met Grace at a dinner party, but they later found each other again in Milwaukee. Dennis was ordained to the ministry of Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod in 1967. He further received his Masters in Social Work at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee in 1972. Finally, Dennis obtained his Doctor of Ministry in 1994 with Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. 

Dennis first served at St. Peter-Immanuel in Milwaukee, WI where he had his ministry from 1967-1974. Dennis was then called to St. John Lutheran Church in Plymouth, WI where he served from 1974-1996. This was the congregation and school where he raised his four children. Dennis always cherished the memories and personal connections that he made there. He was then called to Trinity Lutheran Church in Wausau, WI in 1996 until he recently retired in January of 2024. The people at Trinity were very dear to his heart. Over the years, he served on many boards and committees throughout the Plymouth area and later on in the Wausau area. He always believed in Christian education and only wanted to serve in churches that also had a Christian day school. Dennis’ love for all ages was evident. He meaningfully connected with the children and youth and loved to do the children’s talks (giving small trinkets to remember his message) during the Sunday services. Dennis’ dedication and love for the older adult ministry and the Blind Outreach was a passion of his as well. 

Throughout his ministry, Dennis touched so many lives. He performed countless baptisms, weddings, and funerals. Dennis was unconditional in his love and service to others as his compassion, kindness, and genuine concern for others was apparent in all of his interactions. 

Dennis had many passions including gardening, camping, and reading. He would spend endless hours tending to his garden and his beautiful yard. Dennis and Grace enjoyed their camping trips throughout the United States and also had the opportunity to travel internationally. Family gatherings, vacations, and holidays with his children and grandchildren were some of Dennis’ greatest joys. 

Dennis is survived by his four children: David (Tina) in Mequon, WI, twin daughters, Christine Pegorsch in Palm Bay, FL and Kim (Bill) Weissenberg in Deerfield, IL, and youngest son Jeffrey (Kathryn) Pegorsch in Naperville, IL. Seven grandchildren: Marissa and Ryan Pegorsch, Samantha and Makayla Weissenberg, and Evan, Justin, and Brynlee Pegorsch. Two brothers: Lee Pegorsch in Boulder, CO and Kent Pegorsch in Waupaca, WI, along with nephews, nieces, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Keith.

Dennis had an undeniable faith in God as he fully committed his life to his calling of being a Lutheran minister. He believed that God places us into relationships, both our individual families, but also our church families. Dennis would always say, it is important to be a blessing to one another. His strong faith in the Lord was evident in all he did and how he lived each and every day of his life. Dennis would often cite the words of Psalm 118: 24, “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Dennis had such a positive outlook on life and truly lived a life of joy. His smile, laughter, and warmth in his eyes will never be forgotten, remaining forever with each one of us who were blessed to know him. 

A Celebration of New Life for Rev. Dr. Dennis W. Pegorsch will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, March 15, 2024, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 501 Stewart Avenue in Wausau with the Rev. James Mayland officiating. Visitation will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church from 9:30 am to the time of service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Trinity Lutheran School in Wausau, WI (Home | Trinity Lutheran Church (myvanco.com).