Rev. Garland R.J. Wittmayer
Sept. 5, 1937 – July 18, 2026

Garland “Gary” Raymond John Wittmayer was born Sept. 5, 1937, to Raymond Rudolph Wittmayer and Mildred Minnie née Joern at Bottineau, North Dakota. He was baptized Oct. 8, 1937, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Deep, North Dakota by the Rev. Wm. H. Gierke. At age 3, Wittmayer's family moved to Overly, N.D. About a year later, they moved to Parshall, N.D., where Wittmayer spent his childhood and teenage years.

He was confirmed May, 28, 1950, at Immanuel Lutheran Church by the Rev. Eduard Vadja. His confirmation verse was Rom. 8:38–39: “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Nov. 26, 1954, Wittmayer was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America. He graduated from Parshall High School in 1955, one of a class of 15. While a senior in high school, our Lord Jesus called him to study for the Holy Ministry. He was led by the power of the Holy Spirit and by the members of Immanuel, Parshall and their pastor, the Rev. Robert Wyssman.

In 1955, Wittmayer entered St. John’s College, Winfield, Kansas, one of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod's junior college preparatory schools. In 1957, Wittmayer entered the first class of the new Concordia Senior College in Fort Wayne, Indiana. There he met his future bride, Marcia Rump, a student at Lutheran Hospital’s School of Nursing.In 1959, Wittmayer enrolled at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Mo., while Marcia remained in Fort Wayne. They married June 17, 1961, just before they left for Wauwatosa, Wis., where Wittmayer took up his vicarage duties at Pilgrim Lutheran Church. Graduating in May 1963 from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, he was ordained July 14, 1963, at his home church, Immanuel Lutheran Church in Parshall, N.D. and installed Aug. 11, 1963, as pastor of St. John’s and Trinity Lutheran Churches, Tampa and Durham, Kansas. In 1970, he accepted a call to serve Redeemer Lutheran Church in Dickinson, N.D. In 1985, he was called to Our Savior Lutheran Church in Whitefish Bay, Wis. When Wittmayer retired in 2003, he and Marcia moved to St. Louis, Mo. They became active members of Salem Lutheran Church and School, Affton.

Pastor Garland Wittmayer died July 18, 2026, at the age of 88. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Marcia; his sons, John and Mark; his daughters-in-law, Karen and Becky; and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two daughters, Christine and Susan.

A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, July 25, 2026, at Salem Lutheran Church and School, 8343 Gravois Road, St. Louis, Missouri. Fellowship with the family will take place from 10 a.m. until the time of service. The service will be live streamed at https://slcas.org/church/streaming-video/.

Visiting LCMS clergy are invited to participate. Pastors will vest with red stoles, process and sit as a group for the service. They should meet downstairs in the church fellowship hall at 11 a.m.

Memorials may be given to Salem Lutheran Church (8343 Gravois Road, St. Louis, Missouri 63123) or LASE Specialized Education.