Rev. David Albert Heidtke

David Albert Heidtke was born on October 5 in Jackson, Washington, Wisconsin, to Rudolf August Franz Heidtke (b. May 15, 1896) and Erma Bertha (Melita) Groth (b. October 31, 1894).

👉 Census April 29, 1830 - David lived with his parents and brothers (Frederick, age 8 and Robert, age 4) in Jackson, Wisconsin. Mr. Rudolf A Heidtke had a farm (1).

Young David received his primary education at St. John Lutheran Parish School in Jackson. Later, he attended Cedarburg High School.

👉 In 1949, 20-year-old David A Heidtke started his studies at the Wartburg College in Waverly.  
👉 In 1950, during the census he was recorded as a lodger in the North Hall Men's Dormitory, in Waverly, Bremer County, Iowa. At that time, David also worked at a restaurant, engaged in the past time food service. He graduated the Wartburg College with a B A degree (with a major in music).

Subsequently, the man continued his education at Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa. He received a B. D. degree and was ordained on 🕇 June 6, 1954.
Rev. Heidtke's first call took him to Calvary Lutheran Church in San Angelo, Texas.

👉 In June 1957, the Pastor married Miss Mary Frances Wright.

 

Clipping source: The Cuero Record (Cuero, Tex.), Vol. 69, No. 142, Ed. 1 Sunday, June 16, 1957, newspaper, June 16, 1957; Cuero, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth696129/: accessed August 5, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Cuero Public Library.

⛪ On 1 September 1959, Rev. Heidtke, his wife and baby boy moved in to the parsonage/started his pastoral service at Zion Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg, Texas. 

➜ December 1959 - Christmas Eve candlelight service was introduced,

➜ 1960 - total renovation of the church was completed - the dedication Service took place on October 16, 1963 - Zion received three new bells (sponsored by the Family of Robert Klingelhoefer, Mrs. Albert Sagebiel, Mrs. and Mr. Lon Simon, and Mrs. and Mr. Felix Saenger. The old bell was placed on display outside the church.
➜ 1963 - the youth choir received a processional cross donated by Mr. Werner Weber.

 

👉 Rev. David A. Heidtke worked at Zion Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg, TX until October 1963. During his service at the church, the Parson officiated 41 baptisms, 37 confirmations, 14 weddings, and 31 funerals. 

Clipping source: Dietel, Norman J. The Harper Herald (Harper, Tex.), Vol. 44, No. 47, Ed. 1 Friday, November 20, 1959, newspaper, November 20, 1959; Harper, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1062299/: accessed August 5, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Harper Library.

👉 Next, the Pastor received a call to St. Paul Lutheran Church in Taylor, Texas. He later continued his pastoral work at the following churches in Texas:
⛪ Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church n Amarillo,
⛪  Kinsman Lutheran Church in Houston, and
⛪  St. Paul Lutheran Church in Yorktown.
Rev. Heidtke retired  on December 1931, 1990. Later, he moved back to Fredericksburg and since December 19, 1995, served as a Visitation Pastor at Zion.
Rev. David Albert Heidtke was also a Supply Pastor at other Texas churches, including
⛪  Immanuel Lutheran Church in Comfort, St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Doss, and ⛪  Christ Lutheran Church in Cherry Spring.

Pastor Heidtke passed on ♦ March 23, 2006. His body was interred at the Greenwood Cemetery in Fredericksburg.

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They Lived in Texas

Sources:
"150 Years of God's Grace 1852-2002", Zion Lutheran Church, Fredericksburg, TX.

1. "United States Census, 1930", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X93C-Y6T : Fri Mar 08 03:40:15 UTC 2024), Entry for Rudolph A Heidtke and Melita Heidtke, 1930.
2. "United States Census, 1950", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6FQZ-PDJD : Tue Mar 19 05:15:04 UTC 2024), Entry for Melvin L Kramer and Carl S Wengler, 4 May 1950.
3. https://swtsynod.pastperfectonline.com/byperson?keyword=Heidtke%2C%20David%20Albert