Dr. William "Bill" J. Preuss

William John Preuss, Seward, NE, went to his heavenly home on April 15, 2025, with Judy, his wife of 67 years, and family members at his side. Bill was born on the family homestead in Madison, NE, on November 6, 1931, to William and Olga (Meisinger) Preuss and baptized into faith on December 6, 1931. He attended St. John Lutheran School in Madison, and confirmed his Lutheran faith on March 25, 1945, at St. John Lutheran Church Green Garden in Madison. Bill’s life was based on 1 John 5:3–5, his confirmation verse: “And His commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” When asked why his Christian faith was important to him, Bill said, “Life would be meaningless without faith in Jesus, my Lord and my God.” Graduating with distinction from Madison High School in 1949, Bill’s college attendance was deferred until he completed service in the Navy during the Korean War as an aircraft electrician from 1952 – 1956. Receiving an honorable discharge, Bill returned to work on the family farm with his father. Encouraged by a former teacher (Ted Kollmorgen) to attend Concordia Teacher’s College, Bill pursued a Lutheran teaching diploma. While studying at Seward, he met Judy Walter. The couple were married at St. Paul Lutheran, in Dolton, IL on August 23, 1958, then returned to Nebraska, where Bill graduated with his B.S. in elementary education in 1960. In a career that spanned nearly 50 years, Bill served as a principal and teacher at Immanuel Lutheran School in Staplehurst, as a Professor of Education at Concordia University Nebraska, and as a consultant and analyst at Selection Research, Inc. (now Gallup). Bill earned his Ed.D. in Educational Psychology and Administration in 1967. While at Concordia, Bill also served as Director of Teacher Laboratory and Field Experiences, Supervisor of Student Teachers, and Graduate Instructor. Throughout his career, Bill served as Evangelism Executive for the Nebraska District of the LCMS, and in a variety of leadership roles at St. John Lutheran Church in Seward. Whether it was serving as Evangelism Trainer, Deacon, or making sure coffee and donuts were abundant for Sunday morning services, if there was a task to be done, Bill faithfully served. Bill had a variety of hobbies that kept him busy. An avid reader, Bill almost always had a book in his hand. Favorites included the Bible, history, evangelism, education, and Husker football. Bill also loved gardening. He turned the family’s entire backyard into a vegetable garden, so they always had fresh produce. A benefit Bill truly enjoyed was sharing his garden’s abundance with other families in the community. Bill and Judy loved traveling, taking memorable vacations when the children were young, and later trips to Germany to explore sites from Martin Luther’s life, as well as Latvia, China, Slovakia, Austria, Switzerland, Lichtenstein, Hungary, Spain, Morrocco, the Czech Republic, and England. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, William and Olga Preuss, and his sisters, Doris, Darlene, Norma Jean, and infant brother Michael. He is survived by his loving wife, Judy Preuss, and their children, Timothy (Debbie) Preuss; Michael (Marcella) Preuss; Ann (Rodney) Van Loenen; and Rachel (Jeff) Hoyer; as well as 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren and many friends, colleagues, and former students.

Memorials in care of Concordia University, Nebraska - William & Judy Preuss Scholarship Endowment Fund; St. John Lutheran School & Child Development Center; or Nebraska District Office - Missions & Evangelism

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