Rev. Dr. David E. Wiesner
March 19, 1933 – August 7, 2024
Rev. Dr. David Emil Wiesner was born on Sunday, March 19, 1933 to Dan Wiesner and Viola Wiesner (nee Broeg) of Waukon, Iowa. The youngest of two sons born, he was baptized into the Lutheran faith (LCMS) at Trinity Lutheran Church of Athens, Wisconsin on Saturday, March 3, 1934. And on April 14, 1946 he was confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Holy Cross Lutheran Church of St. Louis, Missouri. His Confirmation verse was Acts 4: 12 “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Wiesner grew up in downtown St. Louis, in an impoverished area. He excelled in athletics, especially boxing, basketball, and baseball. As a young man he tried out for the St. Louis Cardinals and was offered the opportunity to join their farm team. But instead, he opted to join the United States Marine Corp along with two of his closest friends. Wiesner enlisted on Saturday, March 1, 1952 (just 18 days prior to his nineteenth birthday). During the time that he was a new recruit, he met the love of his life, Joyce Marie Joggerst. Friends of theirs introduced them (on a blind date), and their relationship began! They were married on Saturday, October 17, 1953 at Holy Cross Lutheran Church of St. Louis, Missouri and celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary last October! In recent years, Wiesner commented that this was one of the happiest times of his life: being a United States Marine and newly married. God would further bless their union with the birth of two children: a daughter and a son.
After being honorably discharged from the Marines, Wiesner set his feet on the path of education. With the help of the G. I. bill, he obtained a Bachelor’s degree from Concordia College – River Forest, Illinois. He became a teacher at Lutheran Central High School in St. Louis, Missouri. He taught American History, Physical Education, and was a coach. Later, he received a PhD degree from St. Louis University in the area of Education & Administration. Wiesner became Principal of Affton Senior High School; and then later, Superintendent of the Lutheran High Schools; both of St. Louis, Missouri.
Throughout his adult life, Wiesner maintained a strong faith in God along with a deep desire to serve as a parish pastor. So in his early 50’s, he attended Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. Wiesner was ordained on Sunday, March 3, 1985 and served as a parish pastor at Peace Lutheran Church- Lemay, Missouri (his home congregation). Upon retiring from full-time ministry, at the age of 62, Wiesner then served part-time as a visitation pastor at St. John’s Lutheran Church of Arnold, Missouri. He called on shut-in members; a work that he thoroughly enjoyed.
On Wednesday, August 7, 2024 Wiesner died at Avalon Memory Care of South County, St. Louis at 91 years old.
He was preceded in death by his father Dan Wiesner, his mother Viola Wiesner (nee Broeg), his brother Daniel Wiesner, his father-in-law Leonard Joggerst, his mother-in-law Luella Joggerst (nee Rigdon), and his son-in-law Michael Ettel.
He is survived by his wife Joyce Marie Wiesner (nee Joggerst), his daughter Debra Ettel, his son Rev. Mark D. Wiesner, his daughter-in-law Patricia Wiesner (nee Finger), his granddaughter Andrea Wiesner, his granddaughter SarahBeth Barto and her husband Rev. Gregory Barto, his great-grandson Harrison Barto, and his great-grandson Crosby Barto, his brother-in-law Terry Joggerst and his wife Di Joggerst.
Public Visitation
Tuesday, August 13th
4:00-7:00 pm
Kutis Funeral Home
5255 Lemay Ferry Road; St. Louis, MO
A private memorial service will be held for the family, with burial at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.