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CHRISTIAN BREAKING NEWS: Who is Rev. Dr. Steve Witte? Former Pastor and 5 Family Members (2 Daughters + 3 Granddaughters) Killed in House Fire [#SteveWitte #PastorSteveWitte #RevDrSteveWitte #RevSteveWitte #DrSteveWitte #NecedahFire #JuneauCountyFire #NecedahHouseFire #JuneauCountyHouseFire]

WATCH LIVE – WITTE MEMORIAL SERVICE:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZpwPbeOpEE

FULL VIDEO:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhPpX34pUzo
Source: SiebertFoundation YouTube Channel, @SiebertFoundation
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https://www.facebook.com/beautifulsaviorgreenbay/posts/866023748899902
Source: Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church Facebook Account, beautifulsaviorgreenbay

My Brothers and Sisters,
The Epistle reading for this week contained Paul’s words that he was “perplexed, but not in despair.” There are times when what God allows is perplexing. Members Steve and Mary Witte are on furlough and were holding a family get together near Necedah. During the night a fire broke out and 6 members of the family died.
Pastor Steve Witte
Lena Henselin, Karl and Hannah Henselin’s daughter and Steve and Mary’s granddaughter
Merci Henselin, Karl and Hannah Henselin’s daughter and Steve and Mary’s granddaughter
Lydia Witte, Steve and Mary Witte’s daughter
Charis Kuehl, Pastor Steve Kuehl’s wife, Steve and Mary Witte’s daughter
Stella Kuehl, Steve and Charis’ daughter and Steve and Mary’s granddaughter
Though “perplexed” a Christian never need be “in despair.” God’s thoughts are hidden, but He has promised that He works through tragedy to accomplish what will be revealed as part of His good and gracious love for His children. Please keep all who mourn in your prayers!
We will share more information as it becomes available.
In Christ,
The Staff of Beautiful Savior

SUPPORT STEVE, NORAH, AND VERA KUEHL:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-steve-norah-and-vera-kuehl

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Is 55:8-9).

Those words only begin to summarize the thoughts, feelings, and questions entering our minds as news of the Kuehl/Witte tragedy has reached each of us. As many know, Steve and his family were vacationing with Charis’ side of the family this past week when a fire broke out in their rental home. In God’s infinite wisdom, he used this tragedy to bring Charis and their five year-old daughter Stella home to Him in heaven. (Four other members of Charis’ extended family were also called to heaven in this tragedy. Her dad, Pastor Steve Witte; sister, Lydia Witte; niece, Lena Henselin; niece, Merci Henselin.) Steve (Kuehl) said that again and again on the phone when we talked. Already, his faith in this is something for each of us to mimic.

While Steve, Norah, Vera, and all of us cling to Jesus’ words, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die,” many challenges and changes sit ahead for Steve and the girls.

They had so many new plans ahead. Steve has just accepted a call to teach at Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School in New Ulm, MN. They had just bought a house in New Ulm. The girls will be attending a new grade school. They still need to pack and move from Powell, OH to New Ulm, MN. The list of endings and beginnings goes on and on. Now they do this without Charis and Stella.

To help them during this time and with future needs, the Go Fund Me will be split fifty/fifty. Half will go towards immediate needs and family outings. The other half will establish a school fund for Norah and Vera for their LES, high school, and college educations.

During this time, please join the Kuehls in praying these verses from 1 Corinthians 15:55-58

“Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?”

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm.

HENSELIN FAMILY TRAGEDY:
https://www.givesendgo.com/henselin_family

St. Mark partners Karl and Hannah Henselin and many of Hannah’s extended family were vacationing in central Wisconsin at a vacation rental home. A fire broke out in the home sometime during the night of June 29/30. Six people passed away in the fire.

Lena Henselin, Karl and Hannah’s daughter

Merci Henselin, Karl and Hannah’s daughter

Pastor Steve Witte, Hannah’s father

Lydia Witte, Steve and Mary Witte’s daughter, Hannah’s sister

Charis Kuehl, Pastor Steve Kuehl’s wife, Steve and Mary Witte’s daughter, Hannah’s sister

Stella Kuehl, Steve and Charis’ daughter

That our God is good, is not in doubt. But at moments like this it is difficult to understand the ways of God. Our hearts grieve for the Henselins even while we hold on to resurrection hope. We pray that Jesus might come quickly to usher in his New Heavens and New Earth.

Together, we get to keep our eyes on Jesus even as they are blurred with our tears.

How You Can Help

Please respect the family’s wish for privacy and refrain from drop-in visits at this time.

We have established a GiveSendGo to benefit the Henselin family. These funds will go directly to Karl and Hannah to use as they see fit amongst their family.

A Meal Train will also be set up in the near future, to help nourish and support the family. Food drop-offs will likely be requested at the De Pere campus. We will share details soon.

Pray fervently for the families affected by these tragedies.

SPECIAL STATEMENT FROM WELS PRESIDENT MARK SCHROEDER:
https://wels.net/a-special-statement-from-wels-president-mark-schroeder/

WELS Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Yesterday, we received the news of a terrible tragedy. Six members of an extended family lost their lives in a house fire at a vacation rental near Wisconsin Dells, Wis. Those now in heaven are:

Pastor Steve Witte, missionary in Thailand

Lydia Witte, daughter of Steve and Mary Witte

Charis Kuehl, wife of Pastor Steve Kuehl, also the daughter of Steve and Mary Witte

Stella Kuehl, daughter of Pastor Steve Kuehl and Charis

Lena Henselin, Karl and Hannah’s daughter (Hannah is the daughter of Pastor Witte)

Merci Henselin, Karl and Hannah’s youngest daughter

By God’s grace, a number of other family members survived. As of now, there are many unanswered questions; authorities continue to investigate.

The pain of losing six members of one family cannot be described with words. The only thing that can begin to bring comfort in such a time of grievous loss are the words that God himself speaks to us. Those words remind us that these members of our extended WELS family are now resting in perfect joy and peace at the side of their Savior. Because he lives, they also live. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die” (John 11: 25-26). “Death has been swallowed up in victory” (1 Corinthians 15:55).

God graciously reminds us what he has done for these faithful servants. His words and promises bring sure hope when hope seems absent. They bring confidence when confidence has been shaken. They bring assurance and comfort when nothing else can do that.

We mourn with these families. We grieve at their terrible loss. But we also know that God will bring healing. As he promised, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:4). “I will be with you always!” (Matthew 28:20).

On behalf of our entire synod, I want to assure these families that they are in our prayers. We pray that God will remind them of his grace and promises and bring healing to them. We pray that he will continue to help them to hold on to his assurance that he will never leave them or forsake them.

In Christ,

WELS President Mark Schroeder

A former Wisconsin pastor, 2 of his daughters, and 3 granddaughters were killed in an early Sunday morning fire in Juneau County.

According to various Facebook posts from the family’s churches and the WELS Center for Mission and Ministry, Pastor Steve Witte and his family were staying at a holiday rental home in Necedah when the fire started.

The fire was reported around 2:35 AM CT Sunday on Morros Mile Road in Necedah, according to a Juneau County Sheriff’s Office news release.

The fire killed 3 adults and 3 children, according to the release.

According to multiple Facebook posts, the victims are
1) Steve Witte, a former minister at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Green Bay
2) Lydia Witte, his daughter
3) Charis Kuehl, his daughter
4) Stella Kuehl his granddaughter
5) Lena Henselin, his granddaughter
6) Merci Henselin, his granddaughter

The caller believed there were 2 or 3 people inside the house, but when crews from the Necedah and New Lisbon fire departments, the Juneau County Sheriff’s Office, and the Mauston Area Ambulance arrived and escorted multiple people out, they discovered 6 family members remained inside, according to the release.

According to the release, firefighters battled the fire for almost 3 hours and remained on the scene for more than 12 hours.

As of Monday morning, officials believe the fire was accidental, but the investigation is ongoing.

The Wisconsin Department of Justice and State Fire Marshal are collaborating with the investigation.

Witte was the parish pastor of Beautiful Savior in Green Bay from 2001 to 2009, and Emanuel in New London from 1985 to 2001.

NEWS SOURCE & LINKS:
Daily Tribune Media

Who is Rev. Dr. Steve Witte? Former Pastor and 5 Family Members KILLED IN HOUSE FIRE… | Christian Breaking News!