Rev. Herbert Schiefelbein 1927 - 2019

BILLINGS, MONT. - Pastor Herbert A.W. Schiefelbein died in the Christian faith on April 29 in Billings, Mont. at the age of 91, after a brief illness.

Pastor Schiefelbein was born Oct. 19, 1927 in Milwaukee, Wisc., the youngest son of Arthur and Olga (nee Klatt) Schiefelbein. He was baptized into Christ Oct. 29, 1927, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, where he was also confirmed in the faith on Palm Sunday, 1940.

He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church and School, where he received his elementary (K-8) education. He then attended Milwaukee Lutheran High School. Following the death of his oldest brother, Alfred (a pre-seminary student), Herb transferred to Concordia Junior College Milwaukee where he completed his undergraduate degree. His education included advanced high school courses for those planning to enter the holy ministry.

In the fall of 1947, he enrolled at Concordia Theological Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri, to complete five years of advanced theological education, including a vicarage at Zion Lutheran Church, Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He graduated from Concordia Theological Seminary in June, 1952.

On June 15, 1952, he married Frances Luke at Hope Lutheran Church, St. Louis. The Lord blessed their 65-year marriage with seven children.

Pastor Schiefelbein was ordained and installed as Pastor of a triple parish in Washington state July 27, 1952: Zion (Grand Coulee), Bethel (Coulee City), and Victory (Hartline). A call came to serve as missionary-at-large in the southeast Portland, Ore. area. From this missionary work, Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, Milwaukie, Ore., was organized. He served there for five and a half years. From 1958 to 1962, he pastored the dual parish of Messiah Church, Prosser, and St. John Church, Benton City, Wash.

In October, 1962, Pastor served St. Peter's Lutheran Church and School, rural Lakefield, Minn. In the spring of 1968, he was installed as Pastor of St. John Lutheran Church and School, Good Thunder, Minn., where he served for 18 years.

On June 15, 1986, he was installed as Pastor of the dual parish of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Seeley Lake and Faith Lutheran Church in Condon. He retired there Oct. 31, 1995.

During his ministerial career and into retirement, Pastor Schiefelbein served many vacancies. Throughout his life he also belonged to the following organizations: Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life, Lutherans for Life, Lutheran Layman's League, Lutheran Hour Ministries, World Vision and Seeley Lake Lions Club.

In 2008 the Schiefelbeins moved to Billings, Mont. where they became members of Trinity Lutheran Church and School. There Herb assisted with services and Bible classes and was a member of the choir and chairman of the Evangelism Board. Pastor Schiefelbein also helped with services at several Missouri Synod congregations.

Pastor Schiefelbein is survived by: six of his children Cathryn Rinderknecht (Rev. Daniel), Carol Covey (John), Jessica Bishea (Douglas), David (Lenora Edwards), Douglas (Kimberly), and Camille Browne (James); 17 living grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; a brother (Edward); and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by: his wife (Frances); parents Arthur and Olga; a brother Alfred; son Dennis; sister-in-law Ruth; and grandchild Kali Joy.

Funeral services were held at Trinity Lutheran Church, Billings, Monday, May 6th. Internment will be at St. John Lutheran Cemetery in Good Thunder, Minnesota at a date to determined. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church and School in Billings or a charity of your choice. To leave memories or condolences for the family visit smithfuneralchapels.com.